System synthesis to meet exergy loss target value

ABSTRACT

In a method of synthesizing components to design a system meeting an exergy loss target value, one or more candidate sets of components are synthesized and an exergy loss value for each of the one or more candidate sets of components are calculated. A determination as to whether at least one of the candidate set of components meets the exergy loss target value is made and at least one candidate set of components determined to meet the exergy loss target value is identified as the set of components for use in the design of the system.

BACKGROUND

There has been a substantial increase in the number of data centers,which may be defined as locations, for instance, rooms that housecomputer systems arranged in a number of racks. The computer systems aretypically designed to perform jobs such as, providing Internet servicesor performing various calculations. In addition, data centers typicallyinclude cooling systems to substantially maintain the computer systemswithin desired thermodynamic conditions.

The computer systems housed in data centers are often designed andimplemented with a focus on minimizing the temperature generated by thecomputer systems to thereby minimize the energy consumed by the coolingsystems in dissipating the generated heat. In addition, the coolingsystems are often designed and implemented in various manners tosubstantially maximize efficiency in the delivery of cooling airflow tothe computer systems.

Although current methods and systems for substantially minimizing energyconsumption in data centers are relatively effective, there remains roomfor improvement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilledin the art from the following description with reference to the figures,in which:

FIG. 1 shows a simplified block diagram of a system for synthesizingcomponents to design a system meeting an exergy loss target value,according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2A illustrates a flow diagram of a method of synthesizingcomponents to design a system that meets an exergy loss target value,according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates a flow diagram of a method of synthesizingcomponents to design a system that meets an exergy loss target value,according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of a method of synthesizing components todesign a system that meets an exergy loss target value, according to afurther embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a computing apparatus configured toimplement or execute the synthesizer depicted in FIG. 1, according to anembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the present invention isdescribed by referring mainly to an exemplary embodiment thereof. In thefollowing description, numerous specific details are set forth in orderto provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will beapparent however, to one of ordinary skill in the art, that the presentinvention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details.In other instances, well known methods and structures have not beendescribed in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the presentinvention.

Disclosed herein are systems and methods of synthesizing components todesign a system that meets an exergy loss target value. In designing thesystem, a plurality of synthesized component designs may be evaluatedwith respect to each other and/or to an exergy loss target value. In oneexample, the exergy loss target value comprises the minimum exergy lossvalue among the plurality of synthesized component designs. In anotherexample, the exergy loss target value is based upon one or moreoptimization schemes.

Generally speaking, “exergy” is synonymous with “available energy” andmay be defined as a measure of the amount of work a system has theability of performing. In comparison with energy, which cannot bedestroyed because it merely goes from one state to another, exergy, oravailable energy, is typically destroyed as the system performs work orconsumes available resources. In this sense, the measure of exergydestroyed thus addresses both energy and material consumption. Moreparticularly, the second law of thermodynamics necessitates the presenceof irreversibilities (or entropy generation) in any real, physicalsystem. These irreversibilities essentially reduce the amount of workthat may be available for utilization by the system. Theseirreversibilities lead to destruction of available energy or resources(that is, exergy). For example, the process of converting coal intoelectricity is an irreversible process and the conversion, therefore,corresponds to a destruction of exergy.

The systems and methods disclosed herein are configured to synthesizecomponents to design systems that substantially minimize exergydestruction or, synonymously, maximize environmental sustainability.Models employed for determination of the thermal performance of systemsmay be leveraged in determining the exergy destruction values of thecomponents and/or the systems. As such, the use of exergy as a metric indesigning systems has the added benefit of requiring little or noadditional equipment or data or metrology and may thus be implementedwith a relatively small amount of additional cost.

With reference first to FIG. 1, there is shown a simplified blockdiagram of a system 100 for synthesizing components to design a systemmeeting an exergy loss target value, according to an example. It shouldbe understood that the system 100 may include additional elements andthat some of the elements described herein may be removed and/ormodified without departing from the scope of the system 100.

As shown, the system 100 includes a synthesizer 102, which may comprisesoftware, firmware, or hardware and is configured to synthesizecomponents to design a system meeting an exergy loss target value. Thesynthesizer 102 is depicted as including an input module 104, acomponent set synthesizing module 106, an exergy loss calculating module108, an exergy loss comparing module 110, and identifying module 112,and a synthesis output module 114.

In instances where the synthesizer 102 comprises software, thesynthesizer 102 may be stored on a computer readable storage medium andmay be executed by the processor of a computing device (not shown). Inthese instances, the modules 104-114 may comprise software modules orother programs or algorithms configured to perform the functionsdescribed herein below. In instances where the synthesizer 102 comprisesfirmware or hardware, the synthesizer 102 may comprise a circuit orother apparatus configured to perform the functions described herein. Inthese instances, the modules 104-114 may comprise one or more ofsoftware modules and hardware modules, such as one or more circuits.

In any regard, the system designed by the synthesizer 102 may comprise asingle electronic system, such as, a desk top computer, a laptopcomputer, a server, a personal digital assistant, a printer, etc., or acombination of multiple systems, such as, an IT data center, printfactory, etc. Other types of systems, such as, engines, compressors,etc., may also be designed as part of combinations of multiple systems,such as, automobiles, aircraft, etc. Various examples of manners inwhich the synthesizer 102 may design individual and multiple systemssuch that the systems meet an exergy loss target value are describedherein below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the input module 104 is configured to receive inputfrom an input source 120. The input source 120 may comprise a computingdevice, through which data may be inputted data into the synthesizer102. In one regard, the synthesizer 102 and the input source 120 mayform part of the same or different computing device. The inputted datamay include, for instance, various component options for one or moresystems. By way of example, if the synthesizer 102 is implemented todesign a desktop computer, the component options may include differenttypes of processors, memories, fans, power supplies, motherboards, videocards, casings, etc. As another example, if the synthesizer 102 isimplemented to design an IT data center, the component options mayinclude different types of servers, electronics cabinets, airconditioning units, vent tiles, etc.

According to an example, the input module 104 may provide a graphicaluser interface through which a user may provide instructions to thesynthesizer 102. The synthesizer 102 may store the data received fromthe input source 120 in a data store 140, which may comprise acombination of volatile and non-volatile memory, such as DRAM, EEPROM,MRAM, flash memory, and the like. In addition, or alternatively, thedata store 140 may comprise a device configured to read from and writeto a removable media, such as, a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, orother optical or magnetic media.

The input source 120 may also comprise one or more apparatusesconfigured to detect one or more environmental conditions, such as,temperature sensors, pressure sensors, anemometers, etc. In addition oralternatively, the input source 120 may comprise software and/orhardware configured to model one or more environmental conditions. Inany event, the one or more environmental conditions may be used incalculating the exergy loss values of the components or systems asdescribed in greater detail herein below.

The component set synthesizing module 106 is configured to synthesizeone or more sets of components. Each set of components may be formed ofa different combination of components that may be synthesized to form adesired system. In addition, the exergy loss calculating module 108 isconfigured to calculate the exergy loss associated with one or more ofthe synthesized sets of components.

The exergy loss comparing module 110 is configured to compare the exergyloss values calculated for the one or more synthesized sets ofcomponents. According to an example, the exergy loss comparing module110 is configured to compare the respective exergy loss values of thesynthesized sets of components with each other to identify which of thesets of components has the lowest exergy loss value. In addition, oralternatively, the exergy loss comparing module 110 is configured tocompare the one or more exergy loss values with an exergy loss targetvalue.

The exergy loss target value may comprise the minimum exergy loss valueamong the one or more synthesized sets of components. In addition, oralternatively, the exergy loss target value may be set according to oneor more optimization schemes. According to an example, the exergy losscomparing module 110 may receive the exergy loss target value from anexergy loss target value input source 130. The exergy loss target valueinput source 130 may comprise a computing device (not shown) throughwhich one or more of the optimization schemes may be inputted into theexergy loss comparing module 110. In this regard, the exergy loss targetvalue input source 130 may comprise the same or different apparatus fromthe input source 120. Examples of various optimization schemes that maybe used to set the exergy loss target value are described in greaterdetail herein below.

The identifying module 112 is configured to identify the synthesized setof components that meets the exergy loss target value based upon thecomparison performed by the exergy loss comparing module 110. Inaddition, the synthesis output module 114 is configured to output theidentified set of components to an output 150. The output 150 maycomprise, for instance, a display configured to display the identifiedset of components. In addition, or alternatively, the output 150 maycomprise a fixed or removable storage device on which the identified setof components is stored. As a further alternative, the output 150 maycomprise a connection to a network over which the identified set ofcomponents may be communicated.

Examples of methods in which the system 100 may be employed tosynthesize components to design a system that meets an exergy losstarget value will now be described with respect to the following flowdiagrams of the methods 200, 250, and 300 depicted in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and3. It should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that themethods 200, 250, and 300 represent generalized illustrations and thatother steps may be added or existing steps may be removed, modified orrearranged without departing from the scopes of the methods 200, 250,and 300.

The descriptions of the methods 200, 250, and 300 are made withreference to the system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, and thus makesreference to the elements cited therein. It should, however, beunderstood that the methods 200, 250, and 300 are not limited to theelements set forth in the system 100. Instead, it should be understoodthat the methods 200, 250, and 300 may be practiced by a system having adifferent configuration than that set forth in the system 100.

A controller, such as a processor (not shown), may implement or executethe synthesizer 102 to perform one or more of the methods 200, 250, and300 in synthesizing components to design a system that meets an exergyloss target value.

With reference first to FIG. 2A, there is shown a flow diagram of amethod 200 of synthesizing components to design a system that meets anexergy loss target value, according to an example. As shown in FIG. 2A,synthesis options for the system are identified at step 202. Thesynthesis options may comprise different possible combinations ofcomponents that may be synthesized together to form the system. Thus,for instance, in the event that the system comprises a personalcomputer, the synthesis options may include various types of processors,power supplies, fans, housings, etc. The list of components that may besynthesized to form the system may be selected arbitrarily or they maybe based upon one or more constraints, such as, lead time, cost,performance, etc.

In any regard, the input module 104 of the synthesizer 102 may receivethe candidate components from the input source 120 and may storeinformation pertaining to the candidate components in the data store140. At step 204, the component synthesizing module 106 synthesizesmultiple candidate sets of components. Each of the multiple candidatesets of components differ from each other by including at least onedifferent component from the other candidate sets of components.

For each of the candidate set of components, the exergy loss calculatingmodule 108 may calculate a respective exergy loss value, as indicated atstep 206. According to an example; the exergy loss calculating module108 may calculate the exergy loss values through an evaluation of thethermal infrastructures associated with the candidate sets ofcomponents. More particularly, for instance, the exergy loss calculatingmodule 108 may calculate the exergy loss value for a candidate set ofcomponents by analyzing the amount of power for supplied into thecandidate set of components and the amount of heat dissipated from thecandidate set of components in comparison to the ambient temperature.The exergy loss calculating module 108 may also analyze otherenvironmental conditions in calculating the exergy loss values for thecandidate sets of components.

By way of example, the exergy loss calculating module 108 may calculatethe exergy values (□) according to the following equation:

Ψ=(h−h ₀)−T ₀(s−s ₀)  Equation (1)

In Equation (1), h is the enthalpy of the candidate set of components, Tis the temperature, s is the entropy, and the subscript ‘0 ’ correspondsto a reference or ambient state against which the candidate set ofcomponents is evaluated. In addition, the exergy (□) is per unit mass ofthe candidate set of components at steady state with negligible kineticand potential energy. If the total exergy of the system is to becalculated, then Equation (1) may be multiplied by the mass (orequivalently, the density and volume) of the candidate set ofcomponents.

Equation (1) may approximately be reduced in terms of temperature andspecific heat C_(p) as follows:

Ψ=C _(p)(T−T ₀)−T ₀ C ₀ In(T/T ₀).  Equation (2)

Equation (1) or Equation (2) may be used with traditional thermodynamicmethods to determine the exergy loss of the system. One example of athermodynamic formulation is as follows:

Ψ_(d)=ΣΨ_(in)−ΣΨ_(out)−ΔΨ.  Equation (3)

In Equation (3), the subscript d indicates the amount of exergydestroyed, the subscript ‘in’ indicates the amount of exergy suppliedinto the system, the subscript ‘out’ indicates the amount of exergyleaving the system, and ΔΨ indicates the change of exergy within thesystem, as measured by either of Equation (1) or Equation (2), forexample. Equation (3) may also be written per unit time, in which case,each of the exergy terms □ would represent rate of exergy change ratherthan just the exergy.

In any regard, the environmental conditions used to calculate the exergyloss values may be detected through use of one or more sensors. Inaddition, or alternatively, the environmental conditions may bedetermined through operation of a modeling program, such as acomputational fluid dynamics modeling program. The synthesizer 102 maymodel the candidate sets of components and may also calculate the exergyloss values from the models. Alternatively, the candidate sets ofcomponents may be fabricated and the exergy loss values may becalculated from actual measurements obtained or through modeling ofvarious conditions of the components.

At step 208, the exergy loss values of the candidate set of componentsare compared with each other to determine which of the candidate set ofcomponents has the lowest exergy loss value. In other words, thecandidate set of components that consumes the least amount of resourcesamong the candidate set of components is identified at step 208.

In addition, a determination as to whether the candidate set ofcomponents identified as having the lowest exergy loss value also meetsan exergy loss target value may be made at step 210. According to anexample, the exergy loss target value may be equal to the exergy valueof the candidate set of components having the lowest exergy loss value.In this example, step 210 may be omitted since the candidate set ofcomponents having the lowest exergy loss value will always satisfy thiscondition.

According to another example, however, the exergy loss target value maybe based upon one or more optimization schemes, as described in greaterdetail herein below with respect to the method 250 shown in FIG. 2B. Inthis example, the candidate set of components having the lowest exergyloss value may not necessarily satisfy the exergy loss target value. Ininstances where the candidate set of components having the lowest exergyloss value does not satisfy the exergy loss target value, the componentset synthesizing module 106 may replace one or more of the components inat least one of the candidate sets of components and steps 206-210 maybe repeated until a set of components that satisfies the exergy losstarget value is obtained.

At step 212, the synthesis output module 114 may output the candidateset of components identified as meeting the exergy loss target value tothe output 150, which may comprise at least one of a display, a storagedevice, a printing device, and a network connection.

With reference now to FIG. 2B, there is shown a method 250 ofsynthesizing components to design a system that meets an exergy losstarget value, according to another example. Similar to step 202 in FIG.2A, synthesis options for the system are identified at step 252. Inaddition, at step 254, the component synthesizing module 106 synthesizesa candidate set of components. The initial synthesis of components maybe based upon, for instance, one or more constraints, such as, componentavailability, component costs, pre-configured arrangements, etc.

At step 256, the exergy loss calculating module 108 may calculate theexergy loss value (x) of the candidate set of components in any of themanners described above with respect to step 206 in FIG. 2A. Inaddition, at step 258, the exergy loss comparing module 110 compares theexergy loss value (x) of the candidate set of components with an exergyloss target value (y) to determine if the exergy loss value (x) meetsthe exergy loss target value (y) by, for instance, falling below theexergy loss target value (y).

According to an example, the exergy loss target value (y) may be equalto the exergy value of the candidate set of components having the lowestexergy loss value. As also discussed above, however, the exergy losstarget value (y) may be based upon one or more optimization schemesaccording to another example. In this example, the synthesizer 102 mayreceive the exergy loss target value (y) from an exergy loss targetvalue input source 130, as indicated at step 260.

The one or more optimization schemes may include a budget-basedoptimization scheme, a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) based optimizationscheme, a stage-based optimization scheme, a coefficient of performance(COP) based optimization scheme, a service level agreement (SLA) basedoptimization scheme, a total cost of ownership (TCO) based optimizationscheme, etc.

Under the budget-based optimization scheme, the exergy loss target value(y) may be set based upon a predetermined exergy budget, which indicatesthe maximum amount of exergy (in Joules) the candidate set of componentsis allowed to destroy. The maximum amount of exergy may be ascertainedbased on environmental sustainability criteria, for instance, tons ofcoal available for electricity, some type of economic criteria, etc.

Under the LCA-based optimization scheme, the exergy loss target value(y) may be set based upon the total exergy destruction across the entirelife cycle of the candidate set of components. For instance, the exergyloss target value (y) may be set to a value that substantially minimizesthe total exergy destruction across the entire life cycle of the set ofcomponents. The entire life cycle may include extraction of rawmaterials, manufacturing and transportation, operation, and disposal. Inaddition, existing methods of life cycle engineering (LCE) may beleveraged to quantify the exergy loss associated with each stage of thelife cycle, and the exergy required to restore a material resource toits naturally occurring state. Under this scheme, the exergy loss targetvalue (y) may be set based upon the total exergy loss computed to occurduring the entire life cyle of a set of components.

Under the stage-based optimization scheme, the exergy loss target value(y) may be set based upon the amount of exergy destroyed during one ormore stages of the life cycles of the candidate sets of components. Moreparticularly, for instance, the exergy loss target value (y) may be setto a value that substantially minimizes the exergy destruction duringone or more stages of the life cycle. For example, the exergy losstarget value (y) for high performance computers may be set to beoptimized for the operation stage, which is where the maximumenvironmental and economic value likely exists. As another example, theexergy loss target value (y) for personal computers may be set to beoptimized for the manufacturing stage, which is where the maximumenvironmental and economic value likely exist.

Under the COP-based optimization scheme, which may be considered as asubset of the stage-based optimization scheme, the exergy loss targetvalue (y) may be set based upon a coefficient of performance of a set ofcomponents. In other words, the exergy loss target value (y) may be setto a value that substantially minimizes the total energy consumed by aset of components. In addition, the exergy destruction of a set ofcomponents is quantified in terms of a multiplication factor of theenergy consumed by the set of components. For example, the total powerconsumption of the cooling infrastructure in a data center facility maybe given by the following equation:

Q _(dc) ×COP _(G) =W _(tot).  Equation (4)

Where W_(tot) is the total power consumption of the coolinginfrastructure, Q_(dc), is the total heat dissipation by the computeworkload in the data center, which may equal the power consumption ofthe compute infrastructure, and COP_(G) is the coefficient ofperformance of the ensemble. Based on the fuel mix of the grid used togenerate the electricity, an exergy-loss factor K may be assigned basedon the exergy destroyed during the fuel extraction and consumption, sothat:

Exergy_loss˜K×W_(tot).  Equation (5)

Equation (5) thus provides the target exergy loss ‘y’ based on COP_(G)optimization.

Under the SLA-based optimization scheme, the exergy loss target value(y) may be set based upon conditions set forth in an SLA. Moreparticularly, for instance, an SLA may quantify the allowable exergydestruction of a set of components. By way of example, for instance, anSLA requiring 99% uptime may be correlated with the need for aparticular computer subset, a specific cooling infrastructure, adefinitive power delivery architecture, etc. The exergy loss of eachcomponent in the set of components may then be quantified, giving atotal exergy loss for the set of components corresponding to a specificSLA.

Under the TCO-based optimization scheme, the exergy loss target value(y) may be set based upon the metric of TCO in the factor K above inEquation (5). For example, based upon the total data center powerconsumption, an electricity rate may be attached in the factor K toestimate the total cost of the set of components as a function of exergyloss. As other examples, TCO may be directly correlated to the COP_(G)or the TCO may be calculated based upon a unit exergy loss.

Multiple optimization schemes may be combined in setting the exergy losstarget value (y). By way of example, the COP-based and the TCO-basedoptimization schemes may be combined because reduction in the availableenergy equates to a high cost of ownership. Additionally, suppose otherownership costs, such as, personnel, maintenance, amortization, etc.,outweigh the direct cost of power, so that TCO and COP are not linearlyrelated. In this example, as an illustration of how the synthesis ofcomponents may be achieved, three different solutions A, B, and C may begenerated, where A is the optimal exergy ensemble, B is the optimal TCOensemble, and C is the optimal efficiency (COP) ensemble. Then theimportance of each component may be weighed along different values forA, B, and C. More particularly, for example, for mission-criticalservices, C may be relatively more heavily weighted; for low-valueworkloads, B may be relatively more heavily weighted; and for mid-rangedaily operations, A may be relatively more heavily weighted. The optimalsynthesis of components may then be derived as some function of theweighting parameters.

In any regard, if the exergy loss comparing module 110 determines thatthe exergy loss value (x) for the candidate set of components does notmeet the exergy loss target value (y) at step 258, the component setsynthesizing module 106 replaces one or more of the components in thecandidate set of components with one or more new components, asindicated at step 262. The component set synthesizing module 106 mayrandomly replace the one or more components or may replace the one ormore components based upon various factors, such as, cost, lead time,availability, etc. of the replacement components. In addition, thecomponent set synthesizing module 106 may synthesize another candidateset of components with the replacement component(s), as indicated atstep 264.

The exergy loss calculating module 108 may also repeat step 256 bycalculating the exergy loss value (x) for the another candidate set ofcomponents synthesized at step 264. In addition, steps 258-264 may berepeated until the identifying module 112 identifies a candidate set ofcomponents (x) that meets the exergy loss target value (y). In thisinstance, which equates to a “yes” condition at step 258, the synthesisoutput module 114 may output the set of components (x) that meets theexergy loss target value (y) on the output 150 at step 266 as describedherein above with respect to step 212 (FIG. 2A).

With reference now to FIG. 3, there is shown a flow diagram of a method300 of synthesizing components to design a system that meets an exergyloss target value, according to a further example. In the method 300exergy loss values of the individual components forming the candidatesets of components are calculated and used in substantially minimizingthe exergy loss. This approach differs from the methods 200 and 250because in those methods, the exergy loss values of the candidate setsof components are each calculated as a whole, for example, from apre-defined library or template.

Similar to step 202 in FIG. 2A, synthesis options for the system areidentified at step 302. In addition, at step 304, the componentsynthesizing module 106 synthesizes one or more candidate sets ofcomponents. The candidate sets of components may be based upon, forinstance, one or more constraints, such as, component availability,component costs, pre-configured arrangements, etc.

At step 306, the exergy loss calculating module 108 calculates theexergy loss value (x_(i)) of each component (i) in the candidate sets ofcomponents. By way of example, each of the components (i) may comprise aseparate apparatus, such as, a server, a router, a display, a storagedevice, an electronics cabinet, a switch, air conditioning units,ventilation tiles, etc., configured for use in an IT data center. Inaddition, the exergy loss values (x_(i)) of each of the components (i)may be calculated as discussed above with respect to step 206 in FIG.2A.

At step 308, the exergy loss calculating module 108 calculates the totalexergy loss values (x) of the one or more candidate sets of componentsby summing the individual exergy loss values (x_(i)) of the componentscontained in the one or more candidate set of components. The totalexergy loss values (x) may be stored in the data store 140, as indicatedat step 310. In addition, the total exergy loss values (x) may becompared with the total exergy loss values (x) of other candidate setsof components. In addition, the total exergy loss values (x) of thecandidate sets of components may be ranked with respect to each other toidentify which of the candidate sets of components results in the lowesttotal exergy loss value (min(x)).

The total exergy loss values (x) may also be used in developing anexergy loss target value (y), as indicated at step 312. The exergy losstarget value (y) may comprise the lowest total exergy loss value(min(x)) or it may be developed as discussed above at step 260 (FIG.2B). In addition, the exergy loss comparing module 110 may determinewhether the lowest exergy loss value (min(x)) satisfies the exergy losstarget value (y) at step 314.

In response to a determination that the lowest exergy loss value(min(x)) does not satisfy the exergy loss target value (y), theidentifying module 112 may identify which of the components of thecandidate set of components having the lowest exergy loss value has thehighest exergy loss value at step 316. In addition, at step 318, thecomponent set synthesizing module 106 may replace the high-losscomponent with a new component and may synthesize a new candidate set ofcomponents with the new component at step 304. Steps 306-318 may berepeated until the identifying module 112 identifies a candidate set ofcomponents (x) that meets the exergy loss target value (y). In thisinstance, which equates to a “yes” condition at step 314, the synthesisoutput module 114 may output the set of components (x) that meets theexergy loss target value (y) on the output 150 at step 320 as describedherein above with respect to step 212 (FIG. 2A).

Through implementation or execution of any of the methods 200, 250, and300, a system, such as, a personal computing device, a printing device,a combination of computing and cooling devices (for instance, an IT datacenter), etc., may be synthesized to meet an exergy loss target value.In one regard, the amount of exergy destroyed during implementation ofthe system may thus be substantially minimized and the environmentalsustainability of the system may substantially be maximized.

Some or all of the operations set forth in the methods 200, 250, and 300may be contained as utilities, programs, or subprograms, in any desiredcomputer accessible medium. In addition, the methods 200, 250, and 300may be embodied by computer programs, which can exist in a variety offorms both active and inactive. For example, they may exist as softwareprogram(s) comprised of program instructions in source code, objectcode, executable code or other formats. Any of the above may be embodiedon a computer readable medium, which include storage devices andsignals, in compressed or uncompressed form.

Exemplary computer readable storage devices include conventionalcomputer system RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, and magnetic or optical disksor tapes. Exemplary computer readable signals, whether modulated using acarrier or not, are signals that a computer system hosting or runningthe computer program can be configured to access, including signalsdownloaded through the Internet or other networks. Concrete examples ofthe foregoing include distribution of the programs on a CD ROM or viaInternet download. In a sense, the Internet itself, as an abstractentity, is a computer readable medium. The same is true of computernetworks in general. It is therefore to be understood that anyelectronic device capable of executing the above-described functions mayperform those functions enumerated above.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a computing apparatus 400configured to implement or execute the synthesizer 102 depicted in FIG.1, according to an example. In this respect, the computing apparatus 400may be used as a platform for executing one or more of the functionsdescribed hereinabove with respect to the synthesizer 102.

The computing apparatus 400 includes a processor 402 that may implementor execute some or all of the steps described in the methods 200, 250,and 300. Commands and data from the processor 402 are communicated overa communication bus 404. The computing apparatus 400 also includes amain memory 406, such as a random access memory (RAM), where the programcode for the processor 402, may be executed during runtime, and asecondary memory 408. The secondary memory 408 includes, for example,one or more hard disk drives 410 and/or a removable storage drive 412,representing a floppy diskette drive, a magnetic tape drive, a compactdisk drive, etc., where a copy of the program code for the methods 200,250, and 300 may be stored.

The removable storage drive 410 reads from and/or writes to a removablestorage unit 414 in a well-known manner. User input and output devicesmay include a keyboard 416, a mouse 418, and a display 420. A displayadaptor 422 may interface with the communication bus 404 and the display420 and may receive display data from the processor 402 and convert thedisplay data into display commands for the display 420. In addition, theprocessor(s) 402 may communicate over a network, for instance, theInternet, LAN, etc., through a network adaptor 424.

It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that other knownelectronic components may be added or substituted in the computingapparatus 400. It should also be apparent that one or more of thecomponents depicted in FIG. 4 may be optional (for instance, user inputdevices, secondary memory, etc.).

What has been described and illustrated herein is a preferred embodimentof the invention along with some of its variations. The terms,descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way ofillustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in theart will recognize that many variations are possible within the scope ofthe invention, which is intended to be defined by the followingclaims—and their equivalents—in which all terms are meant in theirbroadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated.

1. A method of synthesizing components to design a system meeting anexergy loss target value, said method comprising: synthesizing one ormore candidate sets of components; calculating an exergy loss value foreach of the one or more candidate sets of components; determiningwhether at least one of the candidate set of components meets the exergyloss target value; and identifying at least one candidate set ofcomponents determined to meet the exergy loss target value as the set ofcomponents for use in the design of the system.
 2. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein synthesizing one or more candidate sets of thecomponents further comprises synthesizing multiple candidate sets ofcomponents, in which each candidate set of components has at least onedifferent component from the other candidate sets of components, andwherein the exergy loss target value comprises a minimum exergy lossvalue among the multiple candidate sets of components.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising: synthesizing an additionalcandidate set of components in response to a determination that theexergy loss value of at least one of the candidate sets of componentsfails to meet the exergy loss target value; calculating an exergy lossvalue for the additional candidate set of components; comparing theexergy loss value of the additional candidate set of components to theexergy loss target value; determining whether the exergy loss value ofthe additional candidate set of components meets the exergy loss targetvalue; and wherein the step of identifying further comprises identifyingthe additional candidate set of components as the set of components foruse in the system in response to the exergy loss value for theadditional candidate set of components meeting the exergy loss targetvalue.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein calculating theexergy loss value further comprises calculating the exergy loss valuethrough an evaluation of infrastructures associated with each of the oneor more candidate sets of components.
 5. The method according to claim1, further comprising: for each of the one or more candidate sets ofcomponents, calculating an exergy loss value for each componentcontained in each of the one or more candidate sets of components; andwherein calculating the exergy loss value further comprises summing theexergy losses of each component contained in each of the one or moresynthesized sets of components.
 6. The method according to claim 5,further comprising: for each of the candidate sets of components,calculating a total exergy loss value from the exergy loss values foreach component contained in the candidate sets of components; storingthe total exergy loss values of the candidate sets of components;determining which of the candidate sets of components has the lowesttotal exergy loss value; determining whether the lowest total exergyloss value meets the exergy loss target value; and wherein identifyingat least one candidate set of components further comprises identifyingthe candidate set of components having the lowest total exergy loss asthe set of components for use in the design of the system in response tothe lowest total exergy loss value meeting the exergy loss target value.7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: in response tothe exergy loss target value exceeding the lowest total exergy lossvalue, identifying a component having the highest exergy loss value inthe candidate set of components having the lowest total exergy lossvalue and replacing the component with another component.
 8. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising: selecting the exergy losstarget value from at least one of a budget-based optimization scheme, alife cycle based optimization scheme, a stage-based optimization scheme,a coefficient of performance based optimization scheme, a service levelagreement based optimization scheme, and a total cost of ownership basedoptimization scheme.
 9. The method according to claim 1, whereinsynthesizing the one or more candidate sets of components furthercomprises synthesizing the one or more candidate sets of componentsbased upon at least one of availability, costs, and performance of thecomponents.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the systemcomprises a data center, and wherein the components comprise one or moreof servers, air conditioning units, air moving units, and memories. 11.The method according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises at leastone of a personal computing apparatus, printing apparatus, and apersonal digital assistant, and wherein the components comprise one ormore of processors, memories, fans, power supplies, video cards,casings, and motherboards.
 12. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising: outputting the identified at least one candidate set ofcomponents determined to meet the exergy loss target value.
 13. Asynthesizer for synthesizing components to design a system meeting anexergy loss target value, said synthesizer comprising: an input moduleconfigured to receive data regarding component options; a component setsynthesizing module configured to synthesize one or more candidate setsof components from the component options; an exergy loss calculatingmodule configured to calculate an exergy loss value for each of the oneor more candidate sets of components, an exergy loss comparing moduleconfigured to determine whether any of the respective exergy loss valuesmeets the exergy loss target value; and an identifying module configuredto identify at least one candidate set of components determined to meetthe exergy loss target value as the set of components for use in thedesign of the system.
 14. The synthesizer according to claim 13, furthercomprising: is a synthesis output module configured to output theidentified at least one candidate set of components determined to meetthe exergy loss target value to an output, wherein the output isconfigured to at least one of display, transmit, and store theidentified at least one candidate set of components.
 15. The synthesizeraccording to claim 13, wherein the exergy loss calculating module isfurther configured to calculate the exergy loss value through anevaluation of infrastructures associated with each of the one or morecandidate sets of components.
 16. The synthesizer according to claim 13,wherein the exergy loss comparing module is configured to receive datapertaining to at least one of a budget-based optimization scheme, a lifecycle based optimization scheme, a stage-based optimization scheme, acoefficient of performance based optimization scheme, a service levelagreement based optimization scheme, and a total cost of ownership basedoptimization scheme, and to select the exergy loss target value from atleast one optimization schemes.
 17. The synthesizer according to claim13, wherein the system comprises a data center, and wherein thecomponents comprise one or more of servers, air conditioning units, airmoving units, and memories.
 18. The synthesizer according to claim 13,wherein the system comprises at least one of a personal computingapparatus, printing apparatus, and a personal digital assistant, andwherein the components comprise one or more of processors, memories,fans, power supplies, video cards, casings, and motherboards.
 19. Acomputer readable storage medium on which is embedded one or morecomputer programs, said one or more computer programs implementing amethod of synthesizing components to design a system meeting an exergyloss target value, said one or more computer programs comprising a setof instructions for: synthesizing one or more candidate sets ofcomponents; calculating an exergy loss value for each of the one or morecandidate sets of components; determining whether at least one of thecandidate set of components meets the exergy loss target value; andidentifying at least one candidate set of components determined to meetthe exergy loss target value as the set of components for use in thedesign of the system.
 20. The computer readable storage medium accordingto claim 19, said one or more computer programs further including a setof instructions for: selecting the exergy loss target value from atleast one of a budget-based optimization scheme, a life cycle basedoptimization scheme, a stage-based optimization scheme, a coefficient ofperformance based optimization scheme, a service level agreement basedoptimization scheme, and a total cost of ownership based optimizationscheme.